Willie Nelson

Biography

Willie Nelson
(singer/songwriter, born April 30, 1933, Abbott, Texas)

Willie Nelson is one of contemporary music's rare genuine icons, the
65-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor remains a restlessly
creative soul. In a career that now spans five decades recording more
than 200 albums, writing many of this country's most enduring songs, acting
in more than 30 movies and television shows, crisscrossing the country
on his concert tours, and masterminding innumerable benefit concerts,
Willie Nelson has continually renewed his artistic vision, remaining always
what Kris Kristofferson calls "a profound, original songwriter in a class
with Stephen Foster who continues to enrich our lives with greatness."
In this decade alone, Nelson has recorded a string of critically acclaimed
albums like Across the Borderline, Moonlight Becomes You (a collection
of standards), and Just One Love (a prime example of Texas-style
country music), along with two albums as a member of the Highwaymen. Nelson
also has been the subject of an alternative rock tribute album, three
boxed sets, and a star-studded 60th birthday television special. And he
continues to tour, spending more than 200 nights a year on the traveling
bus that is his home away from home. His voice is instantly recognizable:
a plaintive, sweet sound that magically pierces the heart. His geniius
is more: he creates music that is a soul-searching exploration of love
and spirituality, often very sad, drawn from the deep well of this country's
many voices--country, gospel, pop, jazz, and blues--but uniquely original.
"If America only had one voice," says Emmylou Harris, "it would be Willie's."

Willie Nelson was born in the farmlands of central Texas, got his first
guitar at age six, and was weaned on the music of such fellow Texans Bob
Wills and Ernest Tubb, as well as the big bands of the day, their Tin
Pan Alley pop songs, and the hits of Frank Sinatra. Willie knew early
on that he would not be a farmer, but an entertainer. While still in his
teens, Nelson started playing dances and honky-tonks, and by the time
he graduated from high school, Nelson had his own regular radio show.

After a brief stint in the Air Force, Nelson landed in Houston, where
he made his first commercial recordings. With a few of his songs, performed
by others, hitting the charts, Nelson moved to Nashville to make his fortune
as a singer. After only two years he had well established himself as the
town's most sought-after writer with three monster hits: "Funny How Time
Slips Away," "Night Life," and the landmark Patsy Cline single, "Crazy."

In 1970 Nelson moved back to Texas, performed at honky-tonks and rock
concerts, and recorded two of his classic albums Shotgun Willie and
Phases and Stages. His 1975 album, Red Headed Stranger,
a country concept album, yielded a hit, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,"
and spearheaded a traditional country revival. The following year, a compilation
album of previously issued Nelson material, Wanted.- The Outlaws,
became the first million-selling country album, remains one of the best-selling
country music album of all time, and sparked a musical revolution.

By 1978, Nelson changed course again with Stardust, a collection
of pop standards that spent more than a decade on the country charts.
Nelson also embarked on his acting career that came to include the films
Thief, The Electric Horseman, Honeysuckle Rose, Barbarosa, Songwriter
and, most recently, Wag the Dog. On television he has appeared
as guest star on such shows as "Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman" and "Nash
Bridges." His Fourth of July picnics, which began in 1973, have become
the stuff of legend, while his Farm Aid shows have helped call attention
to the plight of the American farmer. His popularity soared and his work
became a national touchstone for American popular music. In 1980, he was
invited to sing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention.
Nelson also recorded duets with such diverse stars as Julio Iglesias,
Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Waylon
Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, and Merle Haggard.

Willle Nelson helped reinvent country music. Throughout his career he
has not only entertained, but has given us part of our heritage. His music
helps us to know what we are as Americans and where we came from. "Willie
Nelson's impact on American music is indelible," says Carlos Santana.
"He stands at the crossroads of all the sounds and colors of his country.
What he reflects is true soul and sincerity." What he is-- is Americana.